The High Court has adjourned to today an application to appoint an interim examiner to the company which runs Shamrock Rovers soccer club, which has liabilities of more than €2.36 million.
After hearing the application yesterday, Mr Justice Peter Kelly said he would refuse it because he had insufficient evidence in relation to the company's ability to secure a neutral pitch at Morton Stadium, Santry. He also wished the Revenue Commissioners, which are owed more than €540,000 in PAYE and PRSI arrears, to have an opportunity to be heard.
Mr Justice Kelly adjourned to today to allow the club to furnish further evidence on the Morton Stadium option and to allow the Revenue to be represented should it wish.
The judge noted the club, founded in 1901 and based at Glenmalure Park, Milltown, Dublin, from 1921 to 1987, had been bedevilled since 1987 by its inability to find a long-term home ground. He was told this failure was the primary source of its financial difficulties.
The judge also yesterday heard that it appeared that players with Shamrock Rovers had been paid mileage expenses in circumstances where transport was provided by the club.
He also noted that the club had been unable to adhere to an arrangement agreed between the Revenue and the club, under which certain payments were to be made to the Revenue. This involved payments of €50,000 on December 1st, 2004, followed by 20 payments of €18,500 a month from the end of March 2005, culminating in a final payment of €144,980.
The arrangement with the Revenue was entered into to obtain a tax-clearance certificate without which the club cannot play in the Eircom League, the court heard.
Since 1987, the club had encountered a number of difficulties primarily because it had no home ground, he said.
In 1996, Branvard took over the running of the club. The club had hoped to move into a new facility at Tallaght but unfortunately that had run into planning difficulties, the resolution of which was ongoing.
The court was told the club had debts of €2.36 million.
An independent accountant believed it had a reasonable prospect of survival if certain conditions were met, including finding a neutral ground and the appointment of a full-time commercial manager.
The main focus in recent years had been to secure a long-term ground in Tallaght but the club was in advanced negotiations to secure a neutral ground at Morton Stadium.